Erie Shipbuilding still working

Two months after Erie Shipbuilding in Erie, Pa., reportedly laid off its 100 employees and closed its doors, work at the yard is continuing--though at a low level.

GoErie.com says thati "while the company struggles to get financing to fund a massive shipbuilding project, progress has continued to inch ahead on an 840-foot articulated tug barge that's expected to cost more than $50 million.

"We are operating with a very small crew, probably around 10 people," the site reports Dirk VanEnkevort, president of the company, as saying. "All we can tell you is we are working on projects," VanEnkevort said.

"We are trying to get the financing for these big vessel projects," VanEnkevort said Monday. "It's difficult," he added.

A $2.5 million state grant for the shipyard announced in August 2006 has apparently yet to materialize.